Card-support for dummy hands.



IPATBNTBD Nov. 28, 1905.- l G. F. WEDDBRBURN. GARD SUPPORT FOR DUMMY HANDS;

APPLIQATIOII FILED MAY 9. 1905.

2'8HBETS-.BHEET 2.

Inventor UNITED sTA T s s PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

CARD-SUPPORT FOR DUMMY HANDS.

Patented No... 28,1905.

Application filed May 9, 1905. Serial Ila 259,612.

' To all whom it may concernr Be it known that-I, GERTRUDE F.WEDDER- BURN, a citizen of the United States, residing tain new and useful Improvements in Card- Supports for Dummy Hands, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to game-boards, and has for its objects to provide novel means for supporting card-hands or'series of cards whereby two persons are enabled to play a four-handed game of cards and also that the. hands or series of cards comprising the auxiliary or dummy hands are so held or supported that each of said dummy or auxiliary hands is clearly disclosed to the player thereof and .yet at the same time and. in the-same position is effectively screened from observation or inspection by his opponent; and a further object is to embody such means in compact and portable form and that the support or holder will support the several-series of cards, be easily and readily movable into close proximity to both players, and preferably' of a collapsible construction, which may be folded into fiat shape and easily carried in the pocket.

My invention is particularly well adapted for the game of whist and likewise forbridge-. whist, as hereinafter disclosed and set forth.

My invention will be readily understood from the following detailed description of the I throughout the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my card-support in position for use. Fig. 2 is a like view of a modification. Fig. 3'is an end view of the holder illustrated in Fig. 1 in collapsed position.

Fig. 4 is a like view of the holder shown in Fig. 2 when folded. Figs. 5 and 6 are perspective views of modifications.

The form A of my invention (shown in Fig. 1) consists of a base at, having a longitudinal rib or projection 0, between which and each of the longer sides of the base a is mounted a card-support having an inclined face. Each card-support, as shown, consists of two sections 6 b, which are foldably connected so as to be collapsible, as shown in Fig. 3, but which may be rigidly connected so as to form a permanent upright. The card-hands are placed face to face upon the two inner surfaces 5 0 and c b. 'at Chevy Chase, in the county of Montgom-- ery and State of Maryland, have invented cer-' faces 6 b, and the lower ends of the cards rest in the grooves or angles formed by the sur- It is evident the structure A; is readily slidable about the table to a position within the reach of each of the two players and when placed at a slight'angle will clearly disclose'the hand upon one incline to the player thereof and at the same time can: ceal the contents thereof from inspection by his opponent. The faces of the second card series are in like manner presented to the second player, while the backs thereof are toward the first player. In the form A of my card-holder the several card-hands are held in their regular sequence of play, and thereby avoid any confusion as to the order or turn in playing. I i

In Fig. 2 each of the two wings, inclines, or surfaces b 6- supports a card-hand, which 'are arranged with their backs toward each other. The wings or uprights in this and other forms of my device may be made of a height sufficient to extend above and-wholly conceal the cards, so that as the game progressesall danger may be avoided ofjone player after watching his opponents selection of cards being able to learn the location of the several suits, andv thereby determine the number of cards remaining in asuit, it being customary to arrange the hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades in such separate suits or groups. The strips 6,6 extending across the upright b I) serve both to hold the tops of the two cards of the two hands out of contact with each other and also away from the upright, thereby permitting them to be easily grasped and readily removed.

The form A (illustrated in Fig. 5) shows the two uprights or card-racks formed by the four foldably-attached parts 6 b b 6 which, as is obvious, may be collapsed and folded upon the base a when not in use. The angular connection of the central pair of sections 6'' 6 forms a ,groove or seat for a portion of the cards, and a second seat is formed between the upturned free edge 0 of the base and the fourth or outer section 6 The form shown in Fig. 5 may be made shorter than the devices illustrated by Figs.

'1 -to I, and a single hand may be divided and IIO as indicated by dotted lines, in which case the I device A could support in its trough d the two hands arranged face to face, as in Fig. 1, or said hands upon the outer inclines b 6 back toward back, arranged as in Fig. 2, or the first hand divided and placed upon the first and third upright section, and the second hand divided and placed upon the second and fourth upright rack or inclined face.

In Fig. 6 the two parts 6 b forming with the base a triangular support, are attached at each longitudinal edge of the base (L as in Fig. 1; but the central rib c is omitted and a combined ledge and pencil holder 0 added to either edge. The addition of a stop or ledge, such as 0 to both longitudinal edges of the device shown in Fig. 1 would duplicate the supporting-surfaces for each handz'. e. provide two supports instead of one for each ,of the two hands.

My present invention furnishes a compact and desirable support for the ordinary dummy hand of bridge-whist when played by four players; but it is intended more generally for use as a support for two dummy hands to enable two persons to play a four-handed game of cards.

The use of my double dummy card-holder in the game of bridge-whist greatly enhances the interest of the game by enabling each player to play two hands continuously and to deal and make the trump twice instead of once in each round of dealing and, further, to pit his skill (unhampered by a partner) against a single adversary.

In using my card-holder the two players do not sit opposite each other, but at adjacent sides of the table, placing the card-holder so that each players dummy handis approximately opposite him, and therefore in proper sequence of play.

Having thus described my invention, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A card-support comprising a base provided with means for supporting different series of cards face to face with the faces of said cards exposed.

2. A card-support comprising a base provided with means for supporting cards thereon in two upwardly-diverging series.

3. In a card-support, the combination of a base, a collapsible section carried thereby, and a common means for bracing said collapsible section in expanded position and for supporting a series of cards thereagainst.

4:. In a card-support, the combination of a base, a collapsible section hinged at one edge thereto, and means carried by said base for engaging the free edge of said collapsible portion for bracing it in expanded position.

5. In a card-support, the combination of a base, collapsible sections hinged at one edge thereto, the free edges of said sections arranged to cooperate for bracing said sections in expanded position.

6. In a card-support, the combination of a base, an inclined support carried thereby for supporting a series of cards, and means for holding the upper portions of the cards away from said inclined support.

7. In a card-support, the combination of a base, an inclined support carried thereby for supporting a series of cards, and a projection on said inclined support for engaging the upper portions of the cards.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GERTRUDE F. WEDDERBURN. 

